锁链素(desmosine)是组织中的弹性硬蛋白特有的,而且是弹性硬蛋白代谢的一种主要终产物。弹性硬蛋白降解后,锁链素全部由尿中排出。尿锁链素又不受饮食的影响,因此,通过测定尿锁链素便可得知弹性硬蛋白的转变及身体各部份分解的信息(假设第一步分解发生在肝弹性硬蛋白中)。本文作者设想将尿锁链素作为评价吸烟或空气污染的指标。 Desmosine is unique to elastin in tissues and is a major end product of elastin metabolism. After elastin degradation, all of the chain-stopper is excreted in the urine. Uroquelin is also unaffected by diet. Therefore, information on the transition of elastin and the breakdown of various parts of the body (assuming that the first breakdown occurs in hepatic elastin) can be obtained by measuring urinary dexamethasone. The authors envision urinary streptozotocin as an indicator of smoking or air pollution.